California Ag Network

Tag: California dairy producers

  • National Jersey Leadership Named at Annual Meetings

    Leaders for 2026-27 were selected at this year’s annual meeting for the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA), including two committee chairs from California.

    Alan Chittenden of Schodack Landing, N.Y., was elected to his fifth one-year term as President of AJCA on June 20. He is a fourth-generation breeder and owner of registered Jerseys at Dutch Hollow Farms LLC. He owns and operates the farm with his parents and two brothers. They milk 900 Registered Jerseys and have the herd enrolled in REAP, are contract advertisers in the Jersey Journal and have contributed to Equity for 50 years. In 2012, the family was honored with the AJCA Master Breeder award. In addition, he has served as General Chair of The All American Jersey Shows & Sales in 2018, and chair of The All American Sale Committee in 2016. He served two terms as AJCA Director from the Second District from 2014-2020.

    Lynda Lehr, Canastota, N.Y., was elected to her first four-year term as AJCA Director from the First District. A third-generation Jersey breeder, Lehr operates Ky-Hi Jerseys with her family and brings decades of experience in dairy cattle breeding, herd management and agricultural education. Active at the local, state and national levels, she has served in numerous leadership roles within the Jersey community, including the National Jersey Jug Futurity Committee, the All American Junior Activities Committee and several New York Jersey organizations. Lehr is passionate about advancing the Jersey breed and supporting youth involvement in the dairy industry.

    Ted DeMent, Kenney, Ill., was re-elected to a four-year term as Director from the Second District. Ted and his family own and operate DeMents Jerseys, a 260-acre dairy farm established by his parents, Don and Shirley, in 1955. Ted was an appraiser for the AJCA for six years before returning to the home farm. In 2009, he and his wife, Cheryl, assumed management of the dairy. DeMents Jerseys is enrolled on REAP and uses JerseyTags for permanent identification. Ted and Cheryl received the AJCA Young Jersey Breeder Award in 2005. Ted was named the winner of the Max Gordon Recognition Award in 2021.

    Kristin Hogan-Killgore of Tillamook, Ore., was elected to serve a four-year term as Director from the Third District of the AJCA. A lifelong Jersey enthusiast and second-generation member of Misty Meadow Dairy, Killgore combines experience in commercial dairy management, breed promotion and industry leadership. She oversees payroll, human resources and business operations for her family’s 4,500-cow Jersey dairy while also helping manage the farm’s nationally recognized show program. A graduate of Oregon State University, Killgore has served in leadership roles with numerous Jersey and agricultural organizations, including the National Jersey Jug Committee and the Western National Jersey Show and a former National Jersey Queen. She is passionate about building connections within the dairy community and promoting the value of the Jersey breed.

    Chairs of standing committees for 2026-27 are Cornell, Kasbergen, Tulare, Calif., Finance; Tyler Boyd, Hilmar, Calif., Breed Improvement; Ralph Frerichs, LaGrange, Texas, Development; and Jason Johnson, Northwood, N.H., Information Technology and Identification.

    Cornell Kasbergen was re-elected Vice President for the coming year. Kasbergen and his family milk 6,000 Jerseys and Holsteins on their Rancho Teresita Dairy in Tulare. — Story contributed by the American Jersey Cattle Association

  • Dairy Plus Program Is Open for Applications

    The CDFA Dairy Plus Program is now accepting applications from California dairy producers interested in implementing projects that improve manure management and support environmental sustainability on their operations.

    Funded through a partnership between the California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF), CDFA, and USDA, the program provides financial assistance for on-farm projects designed to reduce emissions and address key environmental challenges facing the dairy industry.

    Producers interested in learning more about the program and application process are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming informational webinars:

    • June 25
    • July 8

    Additional program information, eligibility requirements, application materials and webinar registration details are available on the Dairy Plus Program website at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oars/dairyplus/.

    Dairy producers considering future infrastructure or manure management improvements are encouraged to review the program resources and determine whether Dairy Plus funding may be a fit for their operation. — Story contributed by Western United Dairies

  • Innovations Enable Fluid Milk Exports

    While California is celebrated for its cheese, demand is high for fluid milk exports. Dairies are updating their technology to give milk a longer shelf life and with it, producers can more easily get in on the export market. Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network spoke with Glenn Millar from the California Milk Advisory Board to talk about these developments and how dairy producers can expand their presence in the international market. Watch this quick video and learn more in California Dairy Magazine.

  • California Milk Advisory Board’s Elects 2020 Executive Committee

    The California Milk Advisory Board is proud to share its newly elected 2020 Executive Committee officers including: Vice Chairman Tony Louters of Merced, Chairman Josh Zonneveld of Laton, Treasurer David Vander Schaaf of Stockton, Member-at-Large Essie Bootsma of Lakeview, Secretary Megan Silva of Escalon, Member-at-Large Kirsten Areias of Los Banos, and Member-at-Large Renae DeJager of Chowchilla.

    David Vander Schaaf

    David Vander Schaaf is a fourth-generation dairy farmer at Vander Schaaf Dairy, which was established in 1929. David joined the family business in partnership with brothers Joey and James, as well as father John Vander Schaaf in 2013. He is a member of the Milk Producers Council.

    Kirsten Areias

    Kirsten Areias has been a dairy producer since 1980 and currently milks 320 Holsteins with husband Dennis at the 360-acre Den-K Holsteins, Inc. She is a member of a variety of industry groups, including Western United Dairies, serves as an advisor for the California Holstein Association and Merced County Junior Holstein Association, and is a Dairy Bowl Coach.

    Renae DeJager

    Renae DeJager and husband Art are owners of 1500-acre Vista Verde Dairy, which was established in 1977 and where they currently milk 3,200 Holsteins. She is an active member of her community and serves a variety of community groups including California Women for AG, Stone Ridge Christian School Board and Cornerstone Community Church in Chowchilla. She previously served on the board for the U.S. Dairy Export Council and the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board where she traveled extensively to promote dairy in domestic and international markets.

    Essie Bootsma

    Essie Bootsma milks 2,000 Holsteins with her son Jason at the John Bootsma Dairy that she started with her husband, John, in 1979. She is a member of a variety of community groups, including the Western Riverside Ag Coalition, where she serves as secretary, the Eastern Municipal Water District Advisory Committee and the Eastern Municipal Dairy Water Supply, where she serves as chair. She previously served as Secretary to the CMAB’s Executive Committee. In her free time, Essie enjoys representing CMAB in promotional trade shows, spending time with her five grandchildren and cooking for and entertaining family and friends.

    Josh Zonneveld

    Josh Zonneveld and his wife Cassie along with other family members currently milk 8,500 Holsteins at the 7,000-acre Zonneveld Dairies that his grandfather founded in 1968. He joined the family business in 2005. He is a member of the Ag Executive Council for Land O’ Lakes and also serves on the board for the California Dairy Research Foundation.

    Megan Silva

    Megan Silva graduated from Cal Poly in 2006 and is a 4th generation dairy farmer. Megan and husband Johnny Silva, along with her father Frank Rocha, currently milk 2100 Holsteins at the 900-acre Frank N. Rocha Dairy L.P., where she has worked since 2006. Megan and Johnny started their own dairy, R & S Dairy LLC. in May of last year. She is also extremely passionate about the fitness and wellness industries, and shares these passions through her two businesses in Escalon; EscalonFIT and Wellness by EscalonFIT.

    Tony Louters

    Tony Louters and his wife Corinna own T & C Louters Dairy in Merced where they currently milk 600 Holsteins. They have been in business since 2003 and have four children: Alexis, Bryce, Tyler and Breann. Tony is a member of Western United Dairies.

  • Undeniably Dairy to Boost Milk Sales with Consumer Engagement

    Remember the old got milk commercials that got consumers excited about dairy?  Today, the big dairy campaign is known as “Undeniably Dairy”.  This is funded through the National Dairy Checkoff program, managed by Dairy Management, Inc (DMI).  Watch this brief interview with DMI Chair, Marilyn Hershey, and read more about DMI’s efforts to promote the industry in California Dairy Magazine.

  • How to Bring the Dairy to the Classroom & Educate Students

    With so many misconceptions about the dairy industry among the public and the growing gap between the consumer and the farmer, it is more critical than ever for the industry to reach out and educate consumers in their youth true facts about the dairy.  But we can’t very well bring all California students onto the dairy.  So how do we reach out to them?  One great way the Dairy Council of California has been reaching out is through the Mobile Dairy Classroom program.  Watch this brief interview with classroom instructor Mishael McDougal from the Dairy Council as she describes how they bring the dairy to the classroom.  Read more about it in California Dairy Magazine.

  • Nutritional Benefits of Dairy & Factual Resources Consumers Should Know About

    At several recent California dairy conferences, dairy producers have been urged to share their stories with the consumer public, rather than have their stories told incorrectly by those that know nothing about dairy.  One great aspect to share with the public is the great health benefits associated with consuming dairy products.  The Dairy Council of California is a great resource for sharing dairy nutritional facts.  Watch this brief interview with James Winstead from the Dairy Council as he shares a few simple points consumers should know, and read more about it in California Dairy Magazine.

  • How the New Farm Bill will Assist California Dairy Producers

    While there has been a lot of talk about the new Farm Bill that finally passed, California dairy producers may be wondering how and if it will really impact them.  Aubrey Bettencourt, Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency in California shared that it will, through the new Dairy Margin Coverage Program replacing the less impactful Margin Protection Program.  Watch this brief interview as Bettencourt explains and don’t miss the Farm Bill Implementation Listening Session of February 26th.

  • Global Dairy Market Update from California Milk Advisory Board

    While California dairy producers have been experiencing continued lower prices for their product, there are some positive global trends dairy producers can look forward to as reported by John Talbot, CEO of the California Milk Advisory Board in a recent interview with California Ag Network. Watch this brief interview and read more about it in California Dairy Magazine. Don’t currently receive the magazine? Subscribe for FREE at: https://malcolmmedia.com/california-dairy-magazine-subscriptions/